Leedsvs.Stoke

The Whites secured a much-needed 1-0 success over Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium last time out, whilst the Potters managed a home victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

Match preview

After the heartbreak of losing the Championship playoff final to Southampton last May at Wembley Stadium, Leeds United will secure promotion to the Premier League at Elland Road at the second attempt on Monday afternoon should they beat Stoke, and Sheffield United fail to win on the same day.

The Whites extended their exciting winning streak to seven second-tier matches on Good Friday at the Kassam Stadium, where Tottenham Hotspur loanee Manor Solomon netted the only goal of the league contest, with the Israeli winger grabbing his 12th goal contribution of the calendar year.

Winning each of their last three second-tier games by a single-goal margin, Leeds have edged their way up to the very summit of the Championship standings with only three matches left to play of the regular season, level on points with Burnley in second and five points ahead of third-placed Sheffield United.

With the chance to clinch a return to the promised land on Easter Monday, the Whites will be desperate to extend their league unbeaten home run to a staggering 19 matches by earning a positive result against Stoke, with the Yorkshire club last tasting Championship defeat at Elland Road in September.

At the moment when they must hold their nerve to get over the line and secure a top-two placement, Leeds will draw heavily on the experience of head coach Daniel Farke, with the German tactician winning the second-tier title as Norwich City boss in both 2019 and 2021.

Despite hurtling towards a seventh straight season of mid-table mediocrity in the Championship, there was a great atmosphere at the bet365 Stadium on Good Friday, when Stoke City were cheered on by their largest home support since the final day of the 2017-18 Premier League campaign.

Close to 30,000 loyal followers of the mighty Potters rejoiced last time out as their men secured three vital points in Staffordshire, with goals either side of the half-time whistle from summer arrival Million Manhoef and centre-back Ben Wilmot defeating Sheffield Wednesday.

Since returning from the final international break of the 2024-25 campaign, Stoke have strung together a five-game unbeaten streak in the second tier, propelling them to the magical 50-point mark in the Championship rankings, seven points ahead of the relegation zone at this stage.

Following their relegation to this level in 2018, the Potters have failed to finish above 14th in any of their last six campaigns, but a top-half finish is certainly on the cards for the Midlands outfit, who are currently lying six points behind 12th-placed Watford.

Mark Robins's troops are massive underdogs ahead of Easter Monday's meeting at Elland Road, especially when considering Stoke's less-than-inspiring away record, with the Potters scoring just 16 goals across 21 second-tier outings - only Plymouth Argyle (9) and Oxford United (14) have netted fewer in the division.

Leeds United Championship form:

D

D

D

W

W

W

Stoke City Championship form:

L

W

D

D

W

W

Team News

After setting up Solomon's ninth goal of the Championship term on Friday, Leeds right-back Jayden Bogle is set to retain his spot in the backline.

The Whites were solid in defence against Oxford, keeping another clean sheet, meaning that Karl Darlow should continue in net behind Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon as the centre-back pairing.

Farke's side have a few injury problems to contend against, with both Joe Rothwell (calf) and Pascal Struijk (foot) currently occupying beds in the medical room.

Possessing promotion experience courtesy of his spell at Sheffield United, Stoke's Enda Stevens is a doubt to feature at Elland Road due to a knock.

The Potters' options at the back are further reduced by the absence of Frenchman Eric Bocat, who was subbed off after just 13 minutes versus Sheffield Wednesday.

Leeds United possible starting lineup:

Darlow; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Tanaka, Gruev, Gnonto; Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Wilmot, Thompson; Pearson, Burger; Manhoef, Baker, Bae; Gallagher

We say: Leeds United 2-0 Stoke City

Looking to make it four wins on the spin in the Championship, Leeds will be extremely confident of earning a victory which could take them back to the Premier League.

Written by

Carter White

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